Gies said the $362,850 project, which will be funded almost exclusively by levy money allocated to the city’s parks system, is scheduled to be completed Nov. 14.

“This has been a 10-year project and it has taken a long time,” Shelby Park Board President Dave Keinath said. “We’ve re-written the plan and rethought the vision half a dozen times. It’s been a long process.”

The planning process for Black Fork Park began shortly after the Federal Emergency Management Agency bought and demolished houses near Blackfork Commons about ten years ago. FEMA officials determined the houses resided in a residential area prone to flooding.

FEMA turned the land back over to the city for use with one caveat: no permanent structures can be built in the area that obstruct the free flow of flood water.

“So putting a park down there just seemed like an appropriate thing to do,” Keinath said. “You can’t put a building down there. It’s pretty much an eyesore, so we’re going to try and change it over to a park.”

Several additions and upgrades are planned in the new Black Fork Park area, including a walkway, more parking space, an outdoor stage area and plenty of renovated green space.

Shelby Community and Economic Development Coordinator Christina Thompson said the re-purposed park should add plenty to a downtown already invigorated by several new and growing businesses.

“It’s going to have a more sophisticated look,” Thompson said of downtown. “It will have a more comfortable, relaxed atmosphere.”

Thompson and other city officials hope the new atmosphere will attract plenty of events to Shelby along with those already set to benefit from the open space.

Shelby Bicycle Days, Shelby Farmers’ Markets and the downtown concert series are a few of the events officials hope find their way to Black Fork Park. Keinath said he would like to see a host of community events find their way to the new park. He mentioned the park becoming a spot for tailgating because of its proximity to the football field.

“It’ll be kind of a focal point for the community,” Keinath said.

Thompson said Shelby’s parks are one of the main selling points for the city and Black Fork Park will only add to that.

Thompson said adding a downtown park should add to the quality of life for residents while increasing foot traffic to businesses downtown.

“A downtown park will not only enhance curb appeal, but will boost the economic vitality of downtown,” she said. “It’s also going to improve the quality of life for our community.”